How long have you been practicing and what inspired you to get into this work?

I have personally been practicing regular Sophrology since 2015 when I discovered it, thanks to a serendipitous email exchange with a French midwife Sophrologist. Being a midwife myself working in a local hospital and am aware of a high proportion of women struggling with anxieties in their daily life then exacerbated by pregnancy. I wanted to learn tools to help women who are feeling these pressures and struggles, better navigate pregnancy with a greater sense of control, comfort and self confidence. And help them focus on developing trusting in their body. I quickly learned that in France many midwives are also Sophrologists. It’s a beautiful, complimentary pairing of skills.

Through regular practice of the methods I have experienced my own inner transformation. Now I feel more calm, grounded and able to act rather than react to stressors. At any time I know I have the tools behind me, to fall back on.

What are the benefits of Sophrology?

The focus of Sophrology is to link the mind and the body. Once this link is established and then developed, the individual begins to re-hear the body’s messages. We’ve long been tuned out from these, however the body knows when to slow down versus when it has enough energy to continue. And it knows how to stay in the moment of calm, versus outspoken over-reaction. Ultimately, our bodies have an incredible ability to gauge and respond to situations without negative emotions. Therefor, by strengthening this connection, balanced emotional response, to both every day and bigger situations, results.

When the mind and body link and therefore greater consciousness is developed, the result is:

Reduction in stress

Balancing of anxieties

Better sleeping

Stronger coping abilities

Boosted confidence & success

Greater ability to focus & concentrate etc.

As a result, the individual taking back control of their life, deciding how they want to feel.

Who is Sophrology good for?

Sophrology is good for anyone who wants to:

Better coping with stress or anxiety

Better manage and navigate difficult turns or events in life.

Thinks meditation just “isn’t for them”.

Work towards a goal such as a wedding, a sporting event, exams.

Ultimately it’s good for anyone at any age who wants more guidance and self-awareness.

What is the history of Sophrology?

Sophrology originates from the works and dedication of Prof. Alfonso Caucasiana – a neuropsychiatrist who wanted to heal his mentally distressed patients, who were in a clinical setting without medication.

The works have evolved from their inception in 1960 with input from the Professor’s colleagues Schulz (with hypnosis, Autogenic training); Husserl (with phenomenology).

There’s also strong influences from Tibetan and Zen Buddhism as well as influencer from yogic physical and meditation practices.

What are the basic techniques, exercises and methods of Sophrology?

If you were to ask me to do an “off the cuff” Sophrology exercise right now the session would start with some very simple breathing. This would be tailored to the client’s knowledge and experience. As we know breath awareness is an integral part of present moment awareness. Then we’d go through some simple sophrology techniques. For example:

Fist clench and release

Head nod

Squeezing, tightening, tensing every muscle in the body, holding it to let it build up and then releasing ALL the tension.

This is a very simple example, demonstrating mini exercises anyone can do – anywhere, any time.

The most critical factors include doing each step as though it were the first time you’ve breathed. As though it’s the first time you’ve moved your hand or head in this way and noticing objectively: What does it feel like and what is the sensation in the body? You must fully focus on the sensations in the body. And repeat the exercises daily or as often as reasonable.

If a client has a specific concern they’d like to focus on, then the session and exercises are tailored to their needs. No special equipment, clothing or prior experience is ever needed.

Where can one go to experience Sophrology with an expert?

I do private and small group sessions in my home in Bronte, NSW and run occasional larger group introduction sessions locally in Sydney. Additionally I offer Skype/Zoom sessions for anyone, anywhere. Alternatively, I‘m also in the process of creating videos for purchase, for clients to access in their own time.

Passionate about creating impact, income & freedom, Carly is a Business Strategist & Coach for Wellness Entrepreneurs by day. When she’s not working with ambitious entrepreneurs, you’ll find her practicing yoga, relaxing by the sea or enjoying a coffee with loved ones.

Awesome!!! As an energy worker, I’m crazy about Body Awareness and Mindfulness. So many people come to me saying things like they tried meditating or they can’t ‘do it correctly’. A big cue for me is that they’re not tuning into their body’s natural rhythms. We cycle and go through phases just like the earth and moon cycle. The mind-body connection is an excellent way to heal/release our emotional blocks. Imagine a world where we were taught this stuff from the beginning – Lifechanging. I didn’t know this was a thing, Thank you for sharing!